National Republican., 1887-10-22
COMMISSIONER EpeERroN
Thinks Clerks Can Associate Them
selves Together for Political Pur-
poses.

Thinks Clerks Can Associate Them
selves Together for Political Pur-
poses.
Civil Service Commissioner Edgertos,
during an interview had with him by re-
porter yesterday, was asked II, In his opin-
ion, government clerks and other employees
had q right, unabridged by the civil service
law, to associate themselves together as q
society or association for the purpose of
advancing the interests Of any political
party, and whether such societies or asso-
Citations have right to assess It's members
or to receive from them, directly or indi-
rectly, contributions for political purposes
"Upquestionably they have the rlght," re.
piled Mr.. Edgerton. "When a person has
successfully passed a civil service examna.
tiUn, and has been duly certified and per-
manontly appointed to the classified service,
there the authority ceases, and his action
thereafter Is controlled by the appointing
power. From that moment his action Is
outeide the control, authority, influence, or
power Of the civil service commission. He
Is entirely outside OF their jurisdlction."
"But," querled the reporter, 'is not the
commission charged with the enforcement
of the civil service law, and does not that
law prohibit such contributions
Section 10 Of the act OF Jan. 16, 1888,
says that "no officer, clerk, or other person
in the service of the United States shall
directly or indirectly give or hand over to
amy other officer, clerk, or person In the SER
vice Of the United States, or to any sena.
tor or member of the House OF Representa-
tlves or territorial delegate any money or
other valuable thing on account OF or to be
applied to the promotion OF any political
OBJECT whatever Is not the civil service
fsr NHa n,,TN
ment OF that law in It's letter and spirit p'
"Certaluly It ISL said Mr.. Edgerton,
"but that law has nothing to do with In
dividuals outside of their officers or official
positions. Nothing Is said about associa
lions. The commission is not licensed as a
detective association, nor clothed with It's
functions or authority. Ex-CommissOners
Eaton and Gregory, In q letter 10 the Presi-
dent dated Oct. 10, 1885, state that 'It
has no authority concerning the enforce.
forcement Of the criminal provisions of the
civil service act"
"The President, In his circular letter OF
July IA, 1885, 10 heads of departments,
Gays that individual interest and activity
In political affairs are by no means con
demncd. Ofliceholders are neither dis
franchised nor forbidden the exercise Of po
liiical privileges but their privileges are
not enlarged, nor Is their duty to party iu-
creased to pernicious activity by oiilca-
holding
"Can anything be palmer In its meaning
than tbatYn said Mr.. Edgerton. "Does
the President anywhere In that letter inti-
mate that O clerk must become a political
mute No, sir; It is pernicious activity, it
is the brawling offensiveness that the Presi-
dent condemns, as do all right-thnking
men, but an honest effort In the interest OF
the party In whose principles he believes is
cOmmendable."
"What are your views in regard to Mr..
Oberley's recent order that members Of any
political committee or association, or any
one engaged In the work Of promoting the
interests Of any political party, shall not be
eligible for appointment on boards OF civil
service examiners" )" was asked.
~ think such an order Is not justified by
the law or any order made by the President.
II involves political inquiry by the commits.
sion. right or privilege denied to 1t by the
| law,n was the reply.
ale might as well order that any man
belonging to any particular religious society
shall lie Ineligible for appointment on such
boards. No, sir,n he econtinued, tall of this
| is outside Of the jurisdiction OF the civil
service commission. l thoroughly believe
In an honest Interpretation of the civil
service law; believe In enforcing that law
| In the manner Congress intended to have
| 1t enforced, but | do not believe In strain
| ing after something, nobody knows what,
| for political or personal effect, and / be
| leve that the President aud three fourths
Of the Democratic party will sustain my
positiOn.n